New with questions

[lowwing_99]

I just arrived on the sceen the other day.

http://www.fishtankforums.com/31-int...601-hello.html

Here is my question list, they say there is no doumb question so here it goes.

1st what is a clean up crew?

2nd need advise on what type of creatures to add when the time comes. I'm going to tear down our 29 gallon & set it up. I want a reef tank, live rock, coral, invertebrates, & 2 or 3 small fish a clown fish & I don't know what they are called but a very colorful blue or brilliant purple fish. I want everything obviously that will get along & require the same H20 conditions.

Thanks for your time.

[ZeroSystem]

Welcome to FTF Lowwing 99!

I'll admit, saltwater isn't really my field of expertise, but I'll offer my opinions none the less! Take 'em with a grain of salt though (no pun intended).

1. A clean up crew refers to a group of animals within your tank that helps keep the tank clean. Algae eaters and scavangers are the most common. Hermit crabs, turbo snails and the like are very common members of a saltwater clean up crew.

2. Thats a tough one. I would look into which fish you really like the most, that will work within the size of tank you own, and build the rest of your aquarium around that one particular fish. Compatiblity is tough in saltwater tanks and it's very important to research every fish before you buy. By figuring out what fish is going to be the 'star' of your tank, you can rule out other species that won't work well with him easier. Keep in mind that going into the 'Reef' side of saltwater will be an additional challenge as coral, anemones and other inverts are often more difficult to care for than saltwater fish.

[lowwing_99]

Originally Posted by ZeroSystem

Welcome to FTF Lowwing 99!

I'll admit, saltwater isn't really my field of expertise, but I'll offer my opinions none the less! Take 'em with a grain of salt though (no pun intended).

1. A clean up crew refers to a group of animals within your tank that helps keep the tank clean. Algae eaters and scavangers are the most common. Hermit crabs, turbo snails and the like are very common members of a saltwater clean up crew.

2. Thats a tough one. I would look into which fish you really like the most, that will work within the size of tank you own, and build the rest of your aquarium around that one particular fish. Compatiblity is tough in saltwater tanks and it's very important to research every fish before you buy. By figuring out what fish is going to be the 'star' of your tank, you can rule out other species that won't work well with him easier. Keep in mind that going into the 'Reef' side of saltwater will be an additional challenge as coral, anemones and other inverts are often more difficult to care for than saltwater fish.

Thanks for the info hope I'm not getting in over my head. There is so much information & sometimes one counterdicts what the other said. Like for instance I read the 25 steps to setting up. Went to the local store where the fish care person said put sand in right away but that is not what the 25 steps said, also no mention of a clean up crew, (hope those guys aren't in the union).

[Judge]

I understand the confusion, there is always alot of info that doesn't jive! JMO but I agree (I know, it's a shocker) with the "fish care person". I would never place live rock directly on the glass, but then some have SW tanks that have bare bottoms with no sand or substrate at all, just live rock! So some advice is just a preference thing. There are many ways to actually set up a SW tank, but the important basics are the same. I added the sand , then mixed up my saltwater in large tubs, then added tot he tank, then I placed my live rock on top and arranged it. This makes better sense to me because it does not cause the inevitable sand storm. I place a large plate on the sand as aI add the water to keep it from disturbing things as much. I hope this helps...one can never research too much in this hobby, especially with salt water.